Below are the notes from a department wide discussion about grading on January 24, 2017:


We want to maintain standards-- so that a high school diploma means something. It certifies to country, city, community that students are ready to be productive members of the workforce

We want to recognize growth

We want to recognize that not all students are equally capable of reaching standards

We are not beholden to a single grading system or grading scale

We want to motivate students to work to their potential; conversely we do not want to reward them for doing nothing

We believe that effort and participation matter

We believe, in order to pass a class, students demonstrate their ability to meet standards

We agree that a "D" does not signify success (or proficiency)